Hermetically sealed container for stick electrodes

ABSTRACT

A container for hermetically sealing stick electrodes is provided. The container comprises a lid and a body such that the lid and body mate to form an hermetic seal. An interference fit is formed between the mating of a seal structure, disposed on either the lid or the body, and its corresponding part thereby hermetically sealing a hollow interior of the container. The hermetic seal is reusable, and, as such, sealing can be reestablished simply by again mating the lid with the body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers for weldingelectrodes, and more particularly, to a hermetically sealed containerfor stick electrodes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Welding is a method that may be used to join work pieces,typically by fusing and adding materials at a joint location. Anexemplary type of welding process is arc welding. To facilitate thisform of welding, an electric source is generally coupled to anelectrode. An electric arc is produced between the electrode and thework piece when the electrode is brought into close proximity to, or incontact with, the work piece. Electric current flows from the powersource, through the electrode to the work piece and back to theelectrical power source through a conductive cable. The heat produced bythe arc melts the work piece, or work pieces. The molten metal coolsonce the arc is removed, causing the molten material to solidify.Material comprising the electrode is often also melted and added to thejoint. Stick electrodes are one type of electrode used in arc welding,and are particularly favored in simple, robust systems, as well as forhighly portable welding applications.

[0003] In typical systems, the type of weld and ambient conditions arefactors that may be decisive in determining the optimal electrode typefor use with a given task. Stick electrodes, for example, are availablein various sizes and materials, and often include some type of flux,applied as an external coating, that facilitates flow of metal andprotects the weld. For best performance, stick electrodes are stored inan hermetically sealed container. Depending on the electrode typeselected, unnecessary exposure to air and moisture can negatively affectthe performance of the weld, particularly due to degradation in the fluxcoating. For example, certain electrode types, when exposed to theatmosphere, will absorb moisture. Such moisture may lead to cracking orunwanted porosity in the weld. In turn, this can lead to prematurefailure and poor quality of the weld. Although electrodes exposed tomoisture may be restored via a redrying process, this process can beexpensive and time consuming. Moreover, there is no assurance that theelectrode can be restored to its original condition.

[0004] To protect stick electrodes during transport from themanufacturer to the consumer, electrodes are typically sold incontainers that conform dimensionally to the electrodes. To furtherprotect the electrodes, the containers may have supplemental packagingto prevent the ingress of ambient air and moisture. This supplementalpackaging, however, must be removed in order to use the electrodes. Inother words, once this supplemental packaging is removed, any sealedprotection provided by such is lost. To preserve the quality of theelectrodes, the user must subsequently place the electrodes in anothercontainer that provides the necessary protection. Thus, the consumer isburdened with an unnecessary expense, as the original container providedby the manufacturer is typically discarded. Where several electrodetypes, or large quantities of electrodes are needed, many suchreplacement containers may be required.

[0005] Additionally, traditional original packaging containers for stickelectrodes are formed via a relatively imprecise molding process. Assuch, these containers typically cannot provide the good tolerancesgenerally necessary for reusable sealing.

[0006] There exists a need for a novel container for stick electrodesthat can protect against unwanted degradation of the electrodes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present technique provides a resealable container for stickelectrodes designed to respond to such needs. According to oneembodiment of the present technique, a container for stick electrodes isprovided that comprises a hollow body having a ribbed exterior section.The container further comprises a lid configured to mate with the body.In one exemplary embodiment, an interference fit is formed uponengagement of the interior of the lid with the ribbed exterior sectionof the hollow body.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present technique, anintegrated seal structure, disposed on either a first or second hollowbody of a container for stick electrodes, forms a reusable hermetic sealupon the mating of the first and second hollow bodies.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present technique, amethod for hermetically sealing stick electrodes is provided. The methodmay comprise forming a plastic lid and hollow body via an injectionmolding process. The method may further comprise mating the lid and bodysuch that the mating forms an hermetic seal between the lid and body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other advantages and features of the inventionwill become apparent upon reading the following detailed description andupon reference to the drawings in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for stick electrodesaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique, thecontainer being illustrated in the assembled configuration;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container for stick electrodesof FIG. 1 in the open configuration illustrating the lid portionseparated from the body portion;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the body portion of the containerincluding a ribbed portion;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a detail view of the ribbed portion of the containerillustrated in FIG. 3, the detail view illustrating an exemplaryinterface between the inner surface of a lid and the ribbed portion ofthe container, the outline of the lid represented by the dashed lines;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away view of the container lidillustrating a stop rib disposed on the interior surface of the lid; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the container lid along lines 6-6illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary container forstick electrodes is illustrated. FIG. 1 depicts the container 10 in anassembled configuration, whereas FIG. 2 depicts the container 10 in anopen configuration. The exemplary container 10 comprises a hollow body12 mated with a lid 14. Both the lid 14 and body 12 may be formed fromplastic. However, other materials may also be envisaged. In onepreferred embodiment, the body 12 and lid 14 may be formed of a plasticsuch as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Additionally, in yet anotherpreferred embodiment, both the lid 14 and the body 12 may be formed viaan injection molding process. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, during injection molding, plastic resin is heated and injectedinto a preformed mold. The resin is allowed to cool and then moldedcontainer components are subsequently removed. By employing thisprocess, for example, improved tolerances between mating portions may beachieved. Moreover, cleaner surfaces and crisper edges may be produced.Such enhanced structural features facilitate creation of mutuallycooperating molded-in or integral sealing elements and surfaces asdescribed more fully below.

[0018] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a number of exemplary structural features ofthe container 10 are illustrated. For example, the body 12 may comprisea label portion 16, the label portion 16 may be configured for placementof a label identifying the manufacturer of the electrodes, the type ofelectrodes, usage or manufacturing dates, and so forth. Additionally,the body 12 comprises a base portion 18 that extends outwardly from thebody 12. The base portion 18 providing a larger footprint for thecontainer 10 and, as such, facilitates placement of the container 10 inan upright position. It should be noted that by employinginjection-molding techniques, additional complex and intricate designsand features may be molded into the shape of the container. As appliedto the exemplary embodiments, injection molding permits close tolerancesfor and between dimensions of the container to be achieved.

[0019] When in the assembled position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, ahollow interior 20 may be hermetically sealed. As such, materials orelements disposed within the hollow interior 20 are protected from theenvironment 22. For example, electrodes 24 disposed within the hollowinterior 20 may be protected from unwanted moisture and the absorptionof such from the environment 22. During shipping from the manufacturerto the consumer, for example, the electrodes 24 disposed within thehollow interior 20 of the exemplary container 10 would remain isolatedfrom the moisture within the surrounding environment 22. Moreover, theelectrodes 24 would remain fresh, thereby affording optimal performance.

[0020] Disposed around the exterior of the exemplary container 10 may beone of several types of external packaging 26. An exemplary type ofexternal packaging 26 may be placed about at least a portion of theexternal surfaces of both the body 12 and lid 14. Preferably, thepackaging 26 is placed over a joint 28 (see FIG. 1), the joint 28 beingdisposed along a visible mating junction between the lid 14 and the body12. The exemplary external packaging 26 may serve a number of functions.For example, the packaging 26 may be closely affixed to the exteriorsurface of the container 10 so as to provide a removable hermetic sealthat prevents the ingress of moisture and contaminants into the hollowinterior 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the packaging 26 comprises anadhesive tape affixed about the joint 28. Because the packaging 26 mustbe removed prior to accessing the electrodes 24 disposed within thecontainer 10, the packaging 26 may also comprise an indicator 30. Theindicator 30 may be employed to signify to the consumer that the lid 14and body 12 may have been separated after the manufacturer has sealedthe container 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the indicator 30comprises a tear-strip disposed about the joint 28. To separate the lid14 from the body 12 for access to the electrodes 24, the consumer wouldpull the tear-strip 30, thereby visibly breaching the packaging 26 andindicating possible prior separation. However, once the tear-strip 30 isremoved, the external packaging 26 no longer provides an hermetic sealto the hollow interior 20.

[0021] In FIG. 2, the container 10 is illustrated in the openconfiguration. A flange 32 may be disposed about a perimeter of the body12. Preferably, the flange 32 interacts with the lid 14 so as to definethe maximum travel of the lid 14 onto the body 12. In other words, thebase of the lid 14 abuts against the flange 32 and, as such, the flange32 prevents further downward movement of the lid 14. The flange 32 alsomay be radially dimensioned so as to conform to the external perimeterof the lid 14. If so designed, flange 32 and the external surface of thelid 14 would form a substantially continuous surface at the joint 28.The flange 32 may also be dimensioned similarly to the base portion 18to facilitate stacking of the containers.

[0022] Also illustrated in FIG. 2, is a ribbed portion 34 disposed onthe exterior of the body 12. The ribbed portion 34 may be located abovethe flange 32 about the perimeter of the body 12 and may also beintegrally molded into the body 12. Although the exemplary embodimentillustrates the ribbed portion 34 on the body 12, the ribbed portion 34may also be disposed on an interior surface of the lid 14 as well. Theribbed portion 34 comprises a plurality of ribs 36 that, in the instantembodiment, are spaced from one another. By employing an injectionmolding process, for example, good dimensional tolerances with respectto each of the ribs 36 can be achieved.

[0023] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, further details regarding the exemplaryribbed portion 34 are illustrated. As stated above, the ribs 36 arespaced from one another. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, theribs 36 are dimensioned substantially identically to one another. Eachrib 36, in the exemplary embodiment, runs continuously about theperimeter of the body 12. As the lid 14 is brought into engagement withthe body 12, each successive rib 36 engages with the interior surface 38of the lid 14 (see FIG. 4). The engagement between each rib 36 and theinterior surface 38 preferably forms an interference fit between the twostructures. Additionally, each rib may, upon engagement with theinterior surface 38, elastically deform so as to both further conformwith and better seal against, the interior surface 38.

[0024] When the lid 14 is fully engaged with the body 12 and abutsagainst the flange 32 (the lid 14 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4), eachrib 36 engages with a respective portion of the interior surface 38 andresultantly forms a seal. The ingress of contaminants from the ambientenvironment 22, more particularly moisture, is prevented by theinterference fit between the interior surface 38 and each rib 36. In apresent and particularly preferred embodiment, the engaged ribs 36, inconjunction with the interior surface 38, form an hermetic seal. Becausethe injection-molding process, for example, permits good dimensionaltolerances to be realized, the achieved uniformity facilitates thehermetic seal being maintained along the length of the ribbed portion34. Advantageously, because the interior surface only engages the ribs36 along the ribbed portion 34, the force necessary to overcome thecumulative resistive force of the engaged ribbed portion 34 is limited.Additionally, between each rib 36 a recess 40 is formed. Each recess 40may provide an area for containments to collect. When viewedcumulatively, the recesses 40 may also provide a labyrinth-likestructure that further prevents the ingress of unwanted contaminants,particularly moisture. An o-ring type seal 42 may also be placed aroundthe ribbed portion 34 for additional sealing. When provided, this seal42, in conjunction with the lid 14, provides an additional hermetic sealto the container 10.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, disposed directly above the ribbedportion 34 may be a latch rib 44. Preferably, the latching rib 44 isslightly larger than the ribs 36. Moreover, the latching rib 44 may bedimensioned to engage with a stop rib 46 disposed on the interiorsurface 38 of the lid 14. As the lid 14 is placed onto the body 12, thestop rib 46 abuts against the top of the latching rib 44. This abutmentimpedes the movement of the lid. However, as additional downward forceis applied, the engagement between the stop rib 46 and the latching rib44 outwardly elastically deforms the lid 14. Subsequently, the stop rib46 moves past the latching rib 44 coming to rest in a recess 40 whilethe lid 14 snaps back into its previous undeformed state. At this point,lid 14 is removably secured to the body 12. A force in the oppositedirection would then be required to again deform the lid 14 therebyallowing removal of the lid 14 from the body 12. This feature preventsthe lid 14 from unintentionally escaping from the body 12 and also addsto the frictional resistance to removal provided by the engagement ofthe ribs 36 against the interior surface 38. Preferably, the stop rib 46is positioned on the lid 14 such that the lid 14 abuts against theflange 32 immediately after the stop rib 46 passes the latching rib 44.The engagement between the stop rib 46 and the latching rib 44 therebybiases the lid 14 into the flange 32 thereby creating a tight fitbetween the lid 14 and the flange 32 at the joint 28. This tight fit notonly retards the ingress of contaminants, but also prevents unwantedmovement of the lid 14 while on the body 12.

[0026] In operation of the exemplary embodiment, the consumer wouldremove the tear-strip 30 thereby breaking a first hermetic seal providedby the manufacturer. Nonetheless, the engagement of the ribbed portion34 with the interior surface 38 of the lid 14 maintains another hermeticseal, thereby preserving the hermetically sealed nature of the container10. By applying a removal force, the consumer is able to disengage thelid 14 from the body 12 to access the electrodes 24. Subsequently, theconsumer may hermetically reseal the electrodes 24 within the originalcontainer 10 provided by the manufacturer by placing the lid 14 back onthe body 12. The ribs 36 would reengage the interior surface 38 of thelid 14, thereby hermetically resealing the electrodes 24 within thecontainer 10. This, advantageously, allows the consumer to store theelectrodes 24 within the original container provided by themanufacturer. Because the original container is hermetically resealable,the consumer would no longer be required to purchase a secondarycontainer inside of which the electrodes are to be stored.

[0027] While the invention may be susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended tobe limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention isto cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingappended claims. For example, the form, spacing and number of ribssufficient to provide the desired seal may be vary between theembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for stick electrodes, comprising: ahollow body having a ribbed exterior portion; and a lid configured tomate with the body, the lid having an interior surface; wherein anhermetic seal is formed via engagement between the exterior and interiorsections to seal an enclosed volume configured to receive a plurality ofstick electrodes.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the hermetic sealcomprises an interference fit between the ribbed exterior portion andthe interior surface.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the hollowbody and lid comprise an injection molded plastic.
 4. The container ofclaim 3, wherein the injection molded plastic comprises a high densitypolyethylene (HDPE).
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the ribbedportion comprises a latching rib adapted to engage a stop rib disposedon the interior surface, wherein engagement between the latching rib andstop rib removably secures the lid to the body.
 6. The container ofclaim 1, further comprising a separable secondary seal adapted tohermetically seal the container.
 7. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising an indicator, the indicator adapted to provide visualindication of initial separation of the lid and body.
 8. A container forstick electrodes, comprising; a plastic hollow body having a pluralityof ribs disposed continuously about a perimeter of an exterior surface;a plastic lid having an interior surface, wherein the interior surfaceand ribs engage to form an interference fit, the interference fitadapted to hermetically seal an enclosed volume configured to receive aplurality of stick electrodes; and an indicator disposed about a jointof the container, the indicator adapted to indicate initial separationof the lid from the body.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein theindicator provides a second hermetic seal for the enclosed volume. 10.The container of claim 9, wherein the indicator visually indicatesbreach of the second hermetic seal.
 11. The container of claim 8,wherein the body comprises a base portion, the base portion adapted tomaintain the hollow body in an upright position.
 12. The container ofclaim 8, wherein the body comprises a flange portion, the flange portionadapted to restrict movement of the lid, and wherein the flange portionand lid mate to form a substantially continuous surface.
 13. Thecontainer of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a latching rib adaptedto engage a stop rib disposed on the interior surface, whereinengagement between the latching rib and stop rib removably secures thelid to the body.
 14. The container of claim 8, wherein the body and lidcomprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE).
 15. A container for stickelectrodes, comprising: a first plastic hollow body adapted to carry aplurality of stick electrodes; a second plastic hollow body adapted tomate with the first hollow body; and an integrated seal structuredisposed on either the first or second body, the integrated sealstructure adapted to form an hermetic seal upon mating of the first andsecond bodies.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the integratedseal structure comprise a plurality of ribs.
 17. The container of claim16, wherein the integrated seal structure is reusable.
 18. The containerof claim 15, further comprising a separable sealing ring adapted tohermetically seal the container.
 19. A container for stick electrodes,comprising: a first plastic hollow body, the adapted to mate with asecond plastic hollow body thereby forming an enclosure, the enclosureconfigured to house a plurality of stick electrodes; packaging at leastpartially disposed about external surfaces of the first and secondbodies, the packing adapted to form an initial hermetic seal for theenclosure; and an interface between the first and second bodies, theinterface adapted to form a reusable hermetic seal independent of theinitial hermetic seal.
 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the firstand second hollow bodies comprise an injection molded plastic.
 21. Thecontainer of claim 20, wherein the injection molded plastic comprises ahigh density polyethylene (HDPE).
 22. The container of claim 19, whereinthe reusable hermetic seal comprises a plurality of ribs disposed oneither the first or second body.
 23. A method for hermetically sealingstick electrodes, comprising: forming a hollow plastic body via aninjection molding process, wherein the plastic body comprises aplurality of continuous ribs disposed about a perimeter of an exteriorsurface; forming a plastic lid via an injection molding process;disposing at least one stick electrode within the plastic hollow body;and mating the lid with the body such that the mating of the ribs withan interior surface of the lid forms an hermetic seal between the lidand body.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising visuallyindicting initial separation of the lid from the body.
 25. The method ofclaim 23, further comprising at least partially disposing removablepackaging about a joint, the packing adapted to form an initial hermeticseal.
 26. The method of claim 23, further comprising removably securingthe lid to the body.